So, you went through our guide on how to start an art collection and purchased your first art piece. Congrats! You're well on your way to forming your very own art collection. Assuming it's worth a small fortune, you would definitely want to take good care of it so that it will last a long time. Here we consult Kim Tay, gallery director of The Artling, once more on some tips and tricks to caring for our artworks.

1. In terms of framing, where and who are some trusted framers to visit in Singapore?
We work closely with Merlin Framing and Q Framing for our consultancy projects, but there are plenty of smaller framing outlets you can find all over the city. It all depends on how much you’d like to spend on your framing.

2. What lighting is best to illuminate artworks, and what should be avoided?
This varies between artwork to artwork – some may have reflective glass, meaning you can’t have direct spotlights, so always be aware of the surface of your artwork. You can use ceiling-mounted lights, track lights, wall washers or picture lights. Lighting is meant to accentuate the artwork, not draw attention away from it. Avoid halogen lights, as these can damage artworks in the long run.

3. What are the right storage conditions to keep artwork?
The most dangerous aspect of having art in Singapore, is that it is inevitably exposed to the heat and humidity, which can lead to moisture and mould on the artworks. This is very common for artworks that are kept in areas that are not climate controlled and face fluctuations in temperature and humidity, or when the artworks are not framed correctly.

Having your artworks framed with glass can protect against outside damage – the last thing you want after buying an artwork is to have it start deteriorating! The best way to avoid this is to store the artworks in a climate-controlled, protected environment.

4. Final tips on caring for our art pieces?
The most important tip for displaying your art is to keep it out of direct sunlight, as this will fade the artwork over time. Make sure your artworks are installed in low-traffic areas, to avoid any accidental bumps that will damage the surface of the artwork. If your collection grows to an amount more than your home can fit, invest in a climate-controlled storage space.

The Artling is an art consultancy and online gallery focusing on the best of contemporary Asian art and design. Since launching in 2013, theartling.com has grown to list over 200 galleries and 2,000 artists from around the region. Apart from the online platform, The Artling works with private and corporate clients to source for and commission artworks for a variety of projects.